Condenser.



G. L. vAIL, GONDENSER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 12, 1912.

1,103,386. Patented July 14,1914.

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WITNESSES; l/VVE 01?. .cW, N g a z. a.

THE NORRIS PETERS Col, PHOTO-LITHO. WASHINGTON. D. C.

G. L. VAIL.

CONDENSER.

APPLIOATIOH FILED DEO.12, 1912.

Patented July 14, 1914.

INVENTQR. G. L. Va-

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESSES: 64 M W WM G. L. VAIL.

CONDENSER.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.12, 1912.

3 $HEETSSHEET 3.

IN VEN TOR. G. L. Var/Z WITNESSES;

ATTORNEY.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON, D

UNIT

GEORGE L. VAIL, 01? DENVER, COLORADO.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

CONDENSER.

Application filed. December 12, 1912. Serial No. 736,282.

lied in the minimum of time.

Another object of my invention resides in providing a construction by which. a continuous passage is maintained for the unobstructed flow of gases between the point of the condenser at which they are delivered from the compressor and the point at which the condensed fluid is discharged, thereby effectively preventing the apparatus from becoming gas-bound by obstructive accumulation of liquid, and completely averting any sudden increase in pressure in the con denser in case is temporarily discontinued.

In the operation of my improved condenser, the cooling fiuid is applied eXt'eriorly to a plurality of connected containers through which the gases deliveredfrom thev compressor are conducted from one end of the apparatus to the other, and incapacitation of the machine by accumulatlon of sediment or freezing is .thus prevented,

while no pump is requiredto effect a circulatory flow of the water by which the gas is liquefied.

In proceeding in accordance with my invcntion, I provide a series of consecutively connected containers of large capacity and thus eliminate the employment of a multiplicity of friction inducing fittings and bends which retard the flow of the gaseous and liquid ammonia and in consequence impede the proper operation of the compressor from which the gases are derived, the cost of repairs and the chances of impairment of the machine by clogging or leakage are by the same cause, materially reduced and inthe hot gas delivered from the compressor is, by the use of the least possible quantity of cooling fiu1d,lique,-

the supply of cooling fluid asmuch as, in comparison with condensers of different construction, the use of my apparatus greatly eXpedites the condensation of ammonia gases without requiring an increase in the supply of cooling fluid, it' follows that it may be made of smaller compass than other condensers of the same capacity and that in consequence it requires less floor space and less strength of supporting structure, while the cost of its installation and operation is proportionately re- ,duced.

Having thus explained the objects ofmy invention and its advantages over other ma chines in the art as it is at present known to me, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation by reference to the accompanying drawings in the various views of which like parts are similarly des ignated, and in which,

Figure 1 represents an end elevation of my improved condenser, partly in section,

Fig. 2, a fragmentary horizontal section taken along the line 2-2, Fig. '1, Fig. 3, an enlarged cross-seetlonal view of one of the containers comprised 1n the apparatus and the adjacent portion of the structure upon which the same are supported, a and Fig. 4, an elevation, partially in section,

showing my condenser in combination with the compressor of an art1fic1al1ce-plant.v

Referring more specifically to the draw ings, my improved condenser 1s composed of a plurality of horizontally disposed, cy-

lindrical containers 2 which being, arranged in two series A and B are supported in seats 3 formed equidlstantly in the convergent edges of two parallel trapezoidal walls 4- made of concrete or other suitable material. and provided with archways 5 through which access may be had to the chamber formed between their inner surfaces and beneath the two series of containers.

The units of the two series being of equal length, have their ends disposed in vertical planes adjacent the outer surfaces of the walls and theyare held in their respective seats against outward displacement upon brackets 6 which are secured to the walls by means of bolts 7. The stability of the structure may be increased by applying between the two walls l, one or more tie rods, such as shown at 8 in Fig. l.

The containers comprised in the two con- Patented July 14,, 1914.

n sra ras PATENT OFFICE.

vergently disposed series are hermetically closed at their ends by means of heads 9 which are secured therein by welding, brazing or other suitable method and which are provided with central openings 10 that are countersunk at their outer ends to receive the flanges of return bends 12 by the use of which, the several containers of each series are connected-01- the How of fluid from one to another. 7

The containers 13 at the upper ends of the two series aremade of larger diameters than those which follow, for the purpose-'o'tremovin the heat of compression from the beIOreit is being'condensed by contact withthe cooled walls of the containers, and of eliii'i-iiiat-i ig all possibility of back pressure and consequent impediment of the proper operation of the compressor from which" thegases are delivered to the corn denser. 1 r

The,- connection between the compressor 30 and the condenser is as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings estal'i'lished throi'igh the me dium of a conduit 14- which by means of a branch-fitting 15 is connected with the openings in the heads at one end of the preliminary units 13 of the two series of con-- tain'ers.

valves 16 connected in the branch 15 are provided to disconnect either one of the two series from the system and an oil-trap 17 disposed between the said branch and the pipe 1 serves to separate all greasy matter carri l bythe gas, before the' latte-r enters the condenser.

The'iniits 'ofeach series are successively I end of the series to th'e'lowermost unit which serves as" a receiver, for the condensed liquid discharged from the precedingunits, and

the lowermost units of the two series. are by means of valve-controlled pipes 18 connect- 1 ed witli" the conduit 29 through which the .livered either direct-l:

liquid dischargedfrom the condenseris dey to the freezlng plant or to a suitable receptacle;

The cold water which by its cooling effect,

is the primary cause of the liquefaction of the gases conducted through the-series of containers, is applied exteriorly of the latter means of "slotted pipes 19 which extend longitudinally above the containers and which are provided with bowls 20- through the" medium which the water supplied through a plurality of valve controlled branch pipes 21 of a header 22, is introducedinto their interiors.

The pipes: 19 are supported along their entire extent upon benches 23which are se cured upon the respective containers and whose sides ext-end divergently for the even distribution of the water discharged through the slots otthe respective pipes, over the exterior surfaces of the containers with which they are associated.

The slots of the pipes'lE) extend longitudinally of the same and preferably in their upper portions and the water discharged through the slots, flows over the surfaces of the pipes onto the slanting sides of the benches 23 upon which the latter are supported, and thence across the entlre exterior surfaces of the containers whosewalls are 111 consequence ccntinuously cocled for the cond'ensatlonof the gasesbrought in contact with the interior surfaces of thesame.

, In the operation of my improved condenser, the hot gas introduced into the preliminary containers 13 at the upper ends of the two series 'eX )ands therein and thus prevents back pressure to the compressor from which it is delivered, while it loses to aconsider'able degree its heat of compression. A. portion of the gases delivered into the primary unit of'ea'ch series is condensed by contact with the cooled circumferential wall of the same, and falls in the form ofliquid ammonia in the lower portion of the contaiiie'r where it accuini'ilates until its level rises above the lower end of the central openings in its heads, when it overflows into the next succeeding unit which, in like manner, is fi'lledto the level of the openings in its head and which in its turn discl'iarges its excess liquid into the subja'cent unit. The condensed liquid is in this manner conducted from one unit to the other until: it reaches the receivers at. thelower end of the series from which itis discharged through the pipes 18 into the conduit 29 which delivers it either directly to" the freezing"- plant or into a" suitable receptacle The un-cond'en'sed gases flow'from the preliminary uni-t ofthe series at a reduced temperature into the next succeeding unit where they come in contact not only with the continuously cooled wall thereof, but also with the body of liquid am- .monia contained in the bottom-portion of the same, which liquidbein'g of lower temperature than the gases discharged from the preceding unit, aids materially in efiecting their speedy condensation. densed gas is discharged from the second unit into the next succeeding one in which the above described operation is repeated and it is thus conducted through, the "entire series of units at a COIIlll'H-UOUSlY reduced temperature until it reaches the lowermost one'oi: the series at a temperature so low that it is entirely converted into liquid by contact with the cooled wall of the same aswell' as by the cooling effect of the body of ammonia contained in its lower portion.

It will be evident that in the operation of the apparatus the portion of the containers below the openings in their heads are The unconalways filled with liquid ammonia, which, as hereinbefore explained, eXpedites by its cooling influence, the condensation of the gas which flows through the two series and that the upper portions of the containers are continuously maintained in communication with each other for the unobstructed passage 01 gases in either direction, thus preventing the condenser from becoming gas-bound by obstructive accumulation of liquid.

While I have shown and described my invention in the best form at present known to me, I desireit understood that the appa- -ratus is susceptible of variations in the construction and arrangement of its parts without any material departure from the principle and nature of the same.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is:

1. In a condenser, a series of containers having openings which by their position relative to the bottom surfaces thereof adapt them to retain in their lower portions, a

quantity of liquid to a determinate level, connections between said openings to provide a continuous passage for fluid from thecontainer at one end of said series to that at the other end of the same, one of said endcontainers being of greater capacity than the others and having an inlet for fluid, and means for subjecting the contents of the containers, to the influence of a. cooling fluid.

2. In a condenser, an obliquely disposed series of successively arranged containers having openings which by their position relative to the bottom surfaces thereof adapt them to retain in their lower portions, a quantity of liquid to a determinate level, connections between said openings to provide a continuous passage for the flow oi fluid from the upper container of the series to the lower one, and means for applying a cooling liquid separately to each of said containers.

3. In a condenser, two divergently disposed series of successively arranged con tainers, having openings which by their position relative to the bottom surfaces thereof adapt them to retain in their lower portions, a quantity of liquid to a determinate level, connections between said openings to pro vide a continuous passage for the flow of fluid from the uppermost container of each series, to the lowermost one of the same, the uppermost containers of the two series having a connection with a common source of fluid-supply, and means for applying a cooling liquid separately to each of said containers.

4:. In a condenser, an obliquely disposed series of cylindrical containers arranged successively one above another, and con nected for the flow of fluid from the container at the upper end. of the series to that at the lower end of the same, and slotted pipes disposed above said containers, to apply a cooling fluid separately to the exterior surfaces of the same. I i

5. In a condensentwo divergently disposed series of cylindrical containers an ranged successively one above another, and connected for the flo-w of fluid from the up-, permost container of each series, to the lowermost one of the same, means for connecting the said uppermost containers with a common source of fluid-supply, and pipes,

disposed above said containers to apply a cooling fluid separately to the exterior surfaces thereof.

6. In a condenser, two walls having divergent edges and in said edges, asuccession of seats, series of containers supported in corresponding seats of said walls and having in their ends, openings of smaller diameter, connections between said openings to establish a continuous passage for the flow of fluid from the uppermost container of each series, to the lower one of the same, means for connecting the said uppermost containers with a common source of fluid supply, and pipes arranged above said containers to apply a cooling fluid to the exterior surfaces thereof.

'7. In a condenser, a series of substantially horizontal conduits connected for the flow of fluid from the conduit at one end of said series to that at the other end of the same, slot-ted pipes above said conduits, bowls on said pipes in communication with their interiors, and means for supplying a cooling fluid to said bowls.

8. In a condenser, a series of substantially horizontal conduits connected for the flow of fluid from the conduit at one end of said series to that at the other end of the same, slotted pipes above said conduits, and means for distributing a cooling fluid discharged through the slots of said pipes over the surfaces of the respective conduits.

9. In a condenser, a series of substantially horizontal conduits connected for the flow of fluid from the conduit at one end of said series to that at the other end of the same, slotted pipes above said conduits, and benches interposed between said pipes and the respective conduits, for the support of the former, said. benches having sloping sides for the distribution of a cooling fluid discharged through the slots of the pipes supported thereon, over the surfaces of the respective conduits.

10. The combination with the compressor of an artificial ice-plant, of a flue providing a continuous passage for the vapors discharged. from the compressor, from one of its ends to the other, and means for subjecting the contents of said flue to the in fluence of a cooling fluid, the said flue including sections of increased diameter in which portions of the liquid to which said vapors are. condensed While passing through are aadaptedto retain. portions of the liquid the flue, areretairned. i to which said vapors are condensed while 11. The combination with the compressor passing through the flue. r r of an artificial ice plant, 015 a flue providing In testimony whereof. I have aflixedz my 15 5 a continuous passage for the vapors dissignature in presence of two witnesses.

charged from the compressor, from one of its; ends to the other, and means for sub- GEORGE L. VAIL. jecting the contents of said flue to the in- I fluence of a cooling fluid, the said flue co-ni- Witnesses: v 102 prising sections connected: at points above G. J. ROLLANDET,

their interior bottom surfaces whereby they L; RHOADES.

came: of this patent nay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

, Washington, D. G. 

